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 September 18, 2024 / Modified sep 19, 2024 8:44 a.m.

AZ Senator Wadsack pleads not guilty, calls charges politically motivated

Wadsack faces court for excessive speeding, claims political persecution.
by Paola Rodriguez

Courthouse hero The historic courthouse in downtown Tucson.
AZPM Staff

Outgoing state senator Justine Wadsack pled not guilty to excessive speeding and failure to produce proof of insurance in Tucson’s city court Tuesday morning. The charges come after Wadsack went 71 miles per hour in a 35 miles per hour zone back in March.

At the time, the first-term Republican was not cited due to legislative immunity. That doctrine limits authorities from arresting or citing lawmakers while they are in session. However, they can be charged once the session ends, which adjourned on June 15. The case came about on July 30th.

Tucson police body camera footage from the incident shows Wadsack driving a red Tesla. In the video, she introduces herself as “Senator Justine Wadsack” and explains that she was “racing to get home” because her Tesla was losing its charge.

The officer informs Wadsack that she is going more than twice the legal speed limit. She immediately denied that claim. In Arizona, driving more than 20 miles per hour over the speed limit is considered a class 3 misdemeanor. The punishment for that charge is 30 days in jail, $500 in fines, and one year of probation. Wadsack is facing $1,000 in fines.

The Republican senator has called the charges a form of “political persecution.” As recently as Monday, she claimed that the city “decided to use the power of government to prosecute their political opponents.” In that same social media post, Wadsack attempted to garner a crowd to support her during the arraignment.

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